Paper on: "Secularism and Freedom of Religion in
Multi-cultural Democracies"

Author: William Sweet

We are all familiar with a number of cases where there seems
to be a conflict between the freedom of religion and other values characteristic
of democratic nations. These conflicts may be even more dramatic in democratic countries
where there is an explicit policy of multiculturalism. What philosophically
justifiable policies are there that might help to
resolve these (apparent) conflicts? Is secularism an answer?

In this intervention
(of about 10 minutes duration), I begin with a brief mention of some cases
where we find a tension or apparent conflict between ‘the freedom of religion’
and other democratic values or practices. I then outline what is meant, first,
by democratic values (particularly where they include multiculturalism) and,
second, by freedom of religion. After a description of what freedom of religion
is, I ask what reasons are commonly given in democratic states for imposing
limits on this freedom. I argue, however, that there may be additional considerations
and reasons for limiting freedom of religion, and that democratic
nations – particularly nations that embrace multiculturalism – have
tended to fail here. Finally, I address the question whether a policy of
secularism (such as that envisaged by John Rawls or Richard Rorty)
might be a solution.